An wins PGA long drive contest

SPRINGFIELD - South Korea's An Byeong-Hun won the PGA Long Drive contest staged Tuesday, blasting a 347-yard drive to edge Rory McIlroy on a practice day for the 98th PGA Championship. An smashed the winning shot at Baltusrol's par-4 opening hole, rolling the ball past four-time major winner McIlroy's 345-yard effort and a 341-yard blast from Belgium's Nicolas Colsaerts to capture the title. An hit the longest tee shot in the event since Andy Franks smashed a 346-yard drive in 1982 at Southern Hills in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The podium finishers will receive gold, silver and bronze money clips in respective order inspired by the one given Jack Nicklaus for his 1963 win with a 341-yard effort. Donations will also be made to charities the top trio designate of $25,000 $15,000 and $10,000.–AFP

 

 

Tom set for Rio despite wrist fracture

PARIS - Dutch time-trial gold medal favourite Tom Dumoulin was given the all-clear to go to the Rio Olympics on Tuesday, just four days after fracturing his wrist in a crash at the Tour de France. Dumoulin's Giant-Alpecin team said the Dutchman's injury was healing well following further check-ups and that no surgery would be necessary. The 25-year-old crashed out of Friday's 19th stage of the Tour in pain as he hit the deck after losing control of his bike in the peloton. "Tom has a distal radius fracture, which is a clean fracture, not in the joint and without any dislocation," said Giant team physician Anko Boelens. "We hope the progress continues in this way in the coming weeks to be ready in time for both (road) races and to race pain-free, without his brace."–AFP

 

 

CAS in Rio amid Russian doping scandal

LAUSANNE - The Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has temporarily relocated to Rio so it can make rulings over Olympic doping from the scene. It comes with CAS and the Olympic movement dealing with a major state-run doping controversy involving Russia that threatens to overshadow the August 5-21 Games. CAS opened two temporary offices in Rio on Tuesday and they will operate for the duration of the Olympics. Russia's Yulia Efimova plans to appeal her ban at CAS, which has already ruled in favour of a blanket ban on the Russian track and field team over doping. "For the first time in the history of the Olympic Games, the CAS will be in charge of doping-related matters arising on the occasion of the Games as a first-instance authority," CAS said in a statement.–AFP

 

 

Montreal dreaming of show court roof

MONTREAL - Rain that played havoc with Monday's programme at the Montreal WTA hardcourt tournament has officials dreaming of a roof for an ageing baseball facility which was re-purposed decades ago for tennis. Tournament director Eugene Lapierre can only wish for a modern, moveable covering for his event. "We are putting on a show. If we want people to be there and watch, it's better to plan the match for the next day," he said. "Before trying to fund the project, we need to have the agreement of the city, and we are working on this project. There's still a lot to be done before we can go ahead. We have no dates for the time being. This is just a project for the time being." Lapierre said that plans for a roof in Montreal, which hosts a men's ATP Masters in alternate years, are a long way from reality.–AFP

 

 

Jashn-e-Azadi Sports Gala announced

MULTAN – The District Sports Department has arranged Jashn-e-Azadi Sports Gala 2016 to celebrate the Independence Day with national spirit. According to District Sports Officer (DSO) Jameel Kamran, the programme has been sent for approval. Arm-wrestling and meet-wrestling competitions would be held at gymnasium hall on August 5, archery competition would be conducted on August 6 while table tennis competitions would be held on August 7 and 8. Similarly, two Twenty20 matches would be played between Multan and Bahawalpur disable cricket teams on August 7. The kabaddi match would be played between Multan and Lodhran at hockey ground district sports complex on August 12, while football match would be played between Multan Greens and Multan Whites at district sports ground on August 13.–APP